Cricket: Trophy on display in World Cup build-up

Uganda captain Davis Arinaitwe Karashani and Namibia captain Sarel Burger posing with the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy when it visited Bay Oval in January. Photo / File

One of the most prized possessions in world sport will be on show on at the Tauranga Waterfront this morning.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 New Zealand Trophy Tour has arrived as part of a 22-day tour which signifies the 22 years since the pinnacle one-day tournament was last held by joint hosts Australia and New Zealand.

That 1992 tournament, which included star turns from the likes of Martin Crowe, Dipak Patel and Mark Greatbatch, captured the imagination of the New Zealand public and it is hoped the 2015 edition will have much the same effect.

The journey began in Auckland on November 6 - 100 days out from the opening match at Hagley Oval - and moved north to Kaitaia before beginning a long route down the country to the last event in Invercargill on November 27.

Chris Harris, one of only a handful of Kiwis to play in four World Cups and another hero of the 1992 campaign that ended at the hands of Inzamam-ul-Haq's Pakistan side at the semifinal stage, will be on hand to help run proceedings and to put Mayor Stuart Crosby through his paces with the willow in his hand on The Strand at about 10am.

The display will feature a 72-square metre interactive exhibition on the history of the tournament, cricket skills challenges and giveaways.

There will be limited free parking in the car park at the northern end of the Waterfront near Dive Crescent for schools and sporting and community group vehicle.

Fans will also be given the chance to have a free photo taken with the trophy.

Those who are unable to make it downtown between 7.30-11.30am may still be able to catch a glimpse of the trophy.

It is set to make an appearance at the top of Mauao for sunrise before a business card draw is held to determine which workplace the trophy will visit at midday.

Tauranga City Council group communications adviser Amanda Weatherley said the trophy would also make an appearance at Bay Oval for the Western Bay of Plenty Mini World Cup cricket tournament at about 1pm.

Cricket fans in Central Bay of Plenty will have an opportunity to see the trophy when it stops off at Rotorua's Lakefront Reserve tomorrow morning.

About the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy

- Made from silver and gold.

- Stands 60cm tall and weighs 13kg.

- Designed and crafted in London by Garrard & Co, who also made the America's Cup and English Premier League trophy.

- Has a golden globe of the world on which all continents are represented. The globe signifies a cricket ball and is held up by three silver columns shaped as stumps and bails. The columns represent the three fundamentals of cricket: batting, bowling and fielding.

2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

- The 11th edition of the tournament is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia from February 14 to March 29, 2015.

- New Zealand hosts 23 of the 49 matches, with three pool matches in each of the seven New Zealand host cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. There are also seven host cities in Australia.

- All 14 competing teams will play at least one pool match in New Zealand.

- There are $5 children's tickets available to all pool matches and adult tickets start at just $20.